CHAMP upstage PTRC by 56 runs to seal title of 7th MNCA W Prahlada and W Ramananda Elite Tournament
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 10 2023: CHAMP-Khagempalli got the better for PTRC-Patsoi Part IV by 56 runs in a low scoring title clash of the 7th MNCA W Prahlada and W Ramananda Elite Tournament here at Luwang-pokpa Cricket Stadium.

After being restricted to a lowly total of 155 runs for 8, CHAMP bowlers exerted a concerted pressure on PTRC to bowl them out for a paltry total of 99 runs within 27.3 overs and deservingly walked away with the title trophy and a cash reward of 2,20,000.Runners up, PTRC in the meantime were feted with a cash reward of Rs 1,70,000 and a trophy.

CHAMP, who won the toss and opted to bat first, had a shaky start losing skipper and opener Narsingh Yadav getting caught at mid-off by Biswhorjit off the Chingakham Bidash's fourth delivery in the fourth over with just 9 runs on the board.

CHAMP upstage PTRC by 56 runs to seal title of 7th MNCA W Prahlada and W Ramananda Elite Tournament

Laikhram Johny and Lairenjam Ansh then stood the PTRC's bowling attack with a slow 48-run partnership in 92 balls before Ansh holed out to Khangembam Santosh for 28 (off 52 balls) runs at the extra cover off the 19th over's last delivery by Aribam Rohit Sharma.

Before adding any run, Khaidem Joyraj of PTRC bowled out Leikhram Johny for 24 runs (off 52 balls) with an impressive spin to reduce CHAMP to 57 for 3 in 19.1 overs.

Joyraj also bowled out Nitesh Sedai for 14 runs to further leave a dent and reduce CHAMP to 76 for 4 in 23.2 overs.

Medium pace duo of Jotin Pheiroijam (2/25) and Bishworjit Konthoujam (2/25) then combined well to share two wickets apiece and throttled the run rate before the innings ended at 155 for 8 .

Bishworjit Konthoujam's scalp included the CHAMP's highest run getter Nongthombam Gulson (31 off 54 balls) and Thingbaijam Nicholson (20 off 21 balls) .

In reply, PRTC had a more forgetful start as they lost Khangembam Santosh for a 5-ball duck in the fifth delivery of the opening over as he hit Md Ahsanul Kabir straight into the waiting hands of Sunder Yumnam at the mid off and Ngariyanbam Jameson got run out for a 5-ball 4 in the end of the third over.

PTRC further slumped to 30 for 4 in 9.3 overs with Md Ahsanul Kabir setting up Loitongbam Santosh catch at extra cover for 16 runs for the third wicket and Md Sultan Karim trapping Jotin Pheiroijam lbw for 8 runs.

PTRC then lost Rabi Sahu off a run out for fifth wicket at 50 in the first delivery of the 18th over before Gemson Mutum (25) holed out to Sultan Karim at the long on off Thingbaijam Nicholson's third delivery of the 21st over.

Nitesh Sedai then bowled out Khaidem Joyraj (6) and Chingakham Bidash (20) in the 24th and the 26th overs to leave PTRC languishing at 91 for 8 .

Nicholson then removed Bishworjit Konthoujam for 6 runs in the 27th over before Deepak was run out by L Ansh for a duck to wrap up the innings at 99 .

CHAMP's Th Nicholson who returned with the bowling figures of 2/15 and had added 20 crucial runs, was adjudged man of the match and feted with a cash prize of Rs 5,000 and a trophy.

Pheiroijam Jotin of PTRC who gathered 452 runs in 11 innings and Md Sultan Karim of CHAMP who collected 34 wickets in 11 innings emerged highest run scorer and highest wicket taker of the tournament and were feted with cash prize of Rs 10,000 each along with trophies.

Md Sultan Karim also received the man of the series prize containing a cash component of Rs 15,000 and a trophy as he gathered 282 runs and picked 34 wickets in 11 innings of the 12 team tournament.